Alumni Ubc Activity Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS ALUMNI UBC SUBJECT ACTIVITY REPORT MEETING DATE SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 Forwarded on the Recommendation of the President APPROVED FOR SUBMISSION Santa J. Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor FOR INFORMATION Report Date August 7, 2019 Presented By Heather McCaw, Vice-President Development & Alumni Engagement Natalie Cook-Zywicki, Interim AVP Alumni and Executive Director, alumni UBC EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Highlights of alumni activity from the first quarter of FY20 including: alumni UBC welcomed more than 9,000 new alumni on both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, the Faculty of Education hosted speaker Margaret Trudeau, and we recognized many of UBC’s volunteers with a reception during National Volunteer Week. Attachments 1. alumni UBC Update DESCRIPTION & Update on what alumni UBC has accomplished over the first quarter of the year. RATIONALE BENEFITS alumni UBC involves more than 70,000 alumni in the life of the University each year. Learning, Our alumni are donors and volunteers and, through their professional activities and Research, community commitments, contribute to the reputation of UBC. Financial, Sustainability & Reputational RISKS Numbering more than 339,000, UBC alumni are the University’s largest constituent Financial, group. Operational & Reputational Previous Report This is a standing report, provided to the Board most recently on: Dates June 5, 2019; April 2, 2019; November 6, 2018; September 25, 2018 Template revised: June 2018 AUGUST 2019 UPDATE MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALUMNI UBC / AVP, ALUMNI In late June, the alumni UBC board and members of the staff An engaged and effective board has helped our organization leadership team convened for their annual planning retreat at succeed in vastly increasing numbers of engaged alumni, as well UBC’s Okanagan campus. We were honoured that Board of as improving the quality of their engagement opportunities. Governors chair Michael Korenberg and vice chair Sandra I am beyond proud, too, of the high standard of work that our Cawley were able to join us there to update our board members talented team has exhibited in delivering the board and on the work of the Board of Governors. Relations between University’s vision for alumni engagement. The facts speak for the two boards have become more robust in recent years, themselves: since 2010 there has been a 235 per cent increase in something I believe to be crucial for realizing our mutual goal the number of engaged alumni and a 149 per cent increase in the of advancing the university. The UBCO 2040 plan was also number of alumni who volunteer. We’ve built an alumni centre. previewed with the Board by Deborah Buszard, Deputy And we far exceeded our alumni engagement goals as part of Vice‑Chancellor and Principal. start an evolution. After eight years leading alumni engagement at UBC, I am The future looks bright for UBC, and the global alumni heading back to the United States this summer to lead the community, and the decision to leave was not an easy one. University of New Mexico Foundation in Albuquerque. UBC is a world class institution that continues to travel along Developing our alumni UBC board into a nimble and dynamic an upwards trajectory. I consider myself lucky to have been team that responds effectively to the needs of a rapidly growing in a position to support the university and alumni UBC’s and changing alumni body has been a mutual priority during aspirations, and I will look back on my time here with both my time here. And working with these dedicated volunteer satisfaction and deep affection. leaders can only be described as a career highlight. Jeff Todd [email protected] 604 827 3014 PAGE 1/11 alumni UBC update August 2019 GOAL 1 | BROADER ENGAGEMENT Ensure more alumni benefit from the collective resources of UBC and the global alumni network, and more students become familiar with alumni UBC. GAME CHANGERS WELCOMING OUR NEW ALUMNI On April 8, an audience of 115 gathered to hear a panel discussion This May at the Chan Centre, the Vancouver campus hosted about the ways in which sport is being transformed – by technology a record 28 graduation ceremonies over seven days, and alumni UBC and people – to broaden participation and change our understanding welcomed more than 9,222 new grads to the global alumni network. of (dis)ability. From basketball to recreational skiing to hiking, For the fourth consecutive year, welcome receptions took place at the assistive technologies are helping break down barriers for persons Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, with more than 15,000 graduates, family with disabilities or health concerns. As well as gaining a better members, and friends joining in the celebrations. This is a 22 per cent understanding of what more is needed to ensure equal participation, increase over last year. Attendees were treated to tea and coffee, with the audience heard stories of resilience and perseverance from the complimentary bubbly for the graduates (3,420 alumni UBC flutes panel, which included Dr. Andrea Bundon, MA’08, PhD’14, assistant dispensed). There was a photo booth supplied by our affinity partner professor in the School of Kinesiology; Gail Hamamoto, BA’91, to capture special moments, and a chance to take a picture with executive director of the BC Wheelchair Sports Association; and cut ‑outs of Santa J. Ono and Thunder. New grads were also invited to Donovan J. Tildesley, BA’08, former Canadian Paralympic swimmer sign up for their Alumni Card and 4,411 cards are being distributed as and flag bearer for Canada at the 2008 Paralympic Games. a result. On June 6 and 7, the Okanagan campus’ newest graduates received a warm welcome to the alumni community. Alumni volunteers pinned more than 1,400 hoods on gowns, shook more than 1,400 hands and served 1,500 cupcakes. Cut-outs of Santa J. Ono and Thunder provided plenty of photo opportunities for our newest grads. An expert alumni panel discussed how assistive technologies are helping more people to participate in sport. PAGE 2/11 alumni UBC update August 2019 SMART CITIES UBC: WHO GETS IN? On May 14, UBC alumni in Hong Kong attended a panel discussion In April, alumni UBC partnered with the office ofAndrew Arida, deputy registrar, to record a webcast of his popular presentation on the topic of Smart Cities. Moderator James Olson, dean of “Who gets in? The Truths and Myths of how Canadian Universities Applied Science, was joined on stage by Ron Kellett, professor and director of UBC’s School of Architecture and Landscape make Admission Decisions.” The presentation provided an overview of the rationales and decision‑making process UBC and other Canadian Architecture; Wendy Lee, regional manager of Autodesk Far universities often use, and helped to dispel the myths and rumours East Ltd; Walter Mérida, associate dean, Research and Industrial that surround admission to UBC. The webcast is accessible through Partnerships (Applied Science); and Richard Yue, CEO of Arch Capital the alumni UBC digital media library and available to all alumni. To date, Management. Robert Helsley, dean of the Sauder School of Business, it has been viewed 934 times. delivered the closing remarks. Presented in partnership with the Faculty of Applied Science and Sauder School of Business, the event was well received by the 68 guests in attendance. Alumni were keen to learn about the challenges of urbanization and the opportunities ALUMNUS HEADS UNICEF CANADA for reshaping the design of their city. UBC alumnus David Morley, CM, MEd’08, is the president & CEO of UNICEF Canada, and this November he will be presented with the 2019 alumni UBC Achievement Award for Global Citizenship. In early April, 40 guests gathered at CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio to hear Mr. Morley’s presentation on the advancement of children’s health and well‑being. They learned where Canada is performing well in respect to this, as well as where we’re falling behind and what is required to ensure optimal outcomes for children and youth. Following the presentation, CBC News’ Reshmi Nair moderated an audience Q&A, which was followed by a reception where guests had the chance to talk with Mr. Morley one‑on‑one. The event was presented in partnership with the Faculty of Education, and Dean Blye Frank was on hand to provide the evening’s opening and closing remarks. Alumni in Hong Kong learned about the future design of cities. Alumnus David Morley is president and CEO of UNICEF Canada and the recipient of this year’s alumni UBC Achievement Award for Global Citizenship PAGE 3/11 alumni UBC update August 2019 MARGARET TRUDEAU ON MENTAL HEALTH CELEBRATE THE COMMONS! In June, Dean of Education Blye Frank hosted keynote speaker In May, a special event was held to celebrate the opening of Margaret Trudeau at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. As a respected the Okanagan campus’ newest building, known as the Commons. mental health advocate, Ms Trudeau shares her personal stories to More than 70 guests explored its exciting spaces and features, remind others of the importance of nurturing the body, mind, and including a 400‑seat classroom, the Lois and Cliff Serwa spirit. Her powerful speech – “Changing My Mind” – earned a standing Reading Room, UBCO Studios, the Special Collections Room, ovation from the 450‑strong audience. During a reception afterwards, the Engagement Theatre and the Graduate Student Commons. guests had the opportunity to speak with Ms Trudeau directly. A podcast of the event is available in alumni UBC’s digital library and has been downloaded more than 1,500 times. UBC Okanagan’s newest campus addition – the Commons. UNEXPECTED MENTORS In late April, at cSPACE King Edward in Calgary, alumni UBC and the Sauder School of Business hosted a lively keynote presentation by award‑winning Canadian recruitment firm owner and international best ‑selling author Sheila Musgrove.